2021 NFL Mock Draft: Dolphins grab DeVonta Smith at 3, Mac Jones goes to Washington
By Randy Gurzi
![Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith (6) catches a touchdown pass in front of The Citadel defensive back Ronald Peterkin (33) during Alabama's 50-17 win over The Citadel in Bryant-Denny Stadium, Nov. 17, 2018. [Staff Photo/Gary Cosby Jr.]Alabama Defeats The Citadel](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_1080,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape%2Fcover%2Fsport%2F975c1a95603477070f4ac4224b9c024edc0127dcbd59673b97301e172d8b5525.jpg "Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith (6) catches a touchdown pass in front of The Citadel defensive back Ronald Peterkin (33) during Alabama's 50-17 win over The Citadel in Bryant-Denny Stadium, Nov. 17, 2018. [Staff Photo/Gary Cosby Jr.]Alabama Defeats The Citadel")
Alabama. Devonta Smith. 3. 59. Pick Analysis. WR. player. Scouting Report
(Pick via Houston Texans): Maybe it’s a little bit of a reach but DeVonta Smith makes a big leap here and becomes the first wide receiver taken off the board. The Miami Dolphins need to add more weapons around Tua Tagovailoa and who better to do that than his former teammate from Alabama.
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While Smith wasn’t the No. 1 target while Tua was in Alabama, he did have 693 yards and six scores in 2018 and 68 for 1,256 with 14 touchdowns in 2019 when Tua was in Tuscaloosa. Then in 2020 with Mac Jones as the full-time starter, and with all the stars around him either in the NFL or opting out of the season, Smith really took off.
In 12 games, he had career highs in every category, finishing with 105 receptions for 1,641 yards, and 20 touchdowns. His performance was so impressive that he won the Heisman Trophy, becoming the first wideout since Desmond Howard in 1991 — and only the fourth All-Time. He was also the first non-quarterback to win the award since Derrick Henry in 2015 who did so for Alabama as well.
Smith is a great fit across from DeVante Parker who broke out in 2019 but took a step back in 2020. With the two of them together, it will be difficult for opposing teams to try and double one player to take them away, which is a win for everyone — but most importantly, for Tua.